When the New Orleans Pelicans traded up to draft Derik Queen, they were largely ridiculed around the NBA.
The New Orleans Pelicans traded with the Atlanta Hawks for the 13th pick (Derik Queen), giving away the 23rd pick and an unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
It was an almighty price to pay for what wasn’t a highly sought-after player. Next year’s unprotected first-rounder could prove to be the number one pick next season, so the only way the Pelicans win this trade is if Queen develops into an outright superstar.
But what the Pelicans are proving is that when you believe in a guy, sometimes you have to go and get them. It’s early in his rookie season, but Queen might be proving the Pelicans right. He’s just broken a record that even one of the most highly touted number one picks ever, Anthony Davis, never broke.
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Derik Queen breaks New Orleans Pelicans record
Queen has surpassed all expectations early in his rookie year. He’s had five 20-point games, two 30-point games, has received plaudits from Tim Duncan, and Queen has even been compared to Nikola Jokic.
And he did something in his latest game against the San Antonio Spurs that no Pelican has ever done before. With 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, Queen became the youngest player in franchise history to record a 25-point triple-double at the age of 20 years old.
Neither Davis nor Zion Williamson were able to achieve this same feat. With all of the hype surrounding both of those number one picks in New Orleans, could it really be Queen who is the player that finally lifts this organization into contention?
What is the ceiling for Derik Queen’s career?
Derik Queen became the youngest-ever New Orleans Pelican with a 25-point triple double!